Transportable X-ray apparatus

Abstract

A transportable X-ray apparatus which is adapted to be transported in a transport vehicle mounted external of the transport vehicle. The transport X-ray apparatus comprises includes an elongated vertical mast mounted on a support base, a carriage slidable mounted on the mast, and a radiation assembly which includes a collimator and a tube unit assembly. The radiation assembly is mounted on the carriage and a support assembly is mounted on a transport vehicle so that the transportable X-ray apparatus extends externally of the transport vehicle.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. Transportable X-ray apparatus which is adapted to be transported in a motor vehicle and to be mounted externally on the transport vehicle, said transportable X-ray apparatus comprising: (a) a support assembly which includes a horizontal support base and an elongated vertical mast,   (b) a carriage which is mounted on the mast for sliding vertical movement,   (c) a radiation assembly which includes a collimator and a tube unit assembly which is operatively connected to the collimator,   (d) first mounting means for supporting said radiation assembly on said carriage for vertical movement with the carriage, and   (e) second mounting means for supporting said support assembly on the transport vehicle so that the transportable X-ray apparatus extends externally of the transport vehicle, said second mounting means comprising: (1) a vertical bracket which is fixed to said horizontal support base and which has a free top end,   (2) an anchoring fixture at one end of the vehicle, and   (3) an attaching fixture which is fixed to said vertical bracket for operatively engaging said anchoring fixture so that the entire transportable X-ray apparatus is suspended from said anchoring fixture.     
     
     
       2. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said anchoring fixture comprises: (a) a vertical abutment which has a free top end,   (b) and a horizontal shelf which has a top surface, said shelf being located outwardly of said vertical abutment and below the free top ends of said vertical bracket and said vertical abutment.   
     
     
       3. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said attaching fixture comprises: (a) a horizontal projection which is fixed to said vertical bracket and which is adapted to rest on the top surface of said shelf for supporting the weight of said transportable X-ray apparatus, and   (b) a horizontal bracket which is operatively connected to said abutment and said vertical bracket above said shelf for preventing relative horizontal movement between the top end of said vertical bracket and the top end of said abutment.   
     
     
       4. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein one end of said horizontal bracket is fixed to the top end of said vertical bracket and the opposite end of said horizontal bracket has a groove which is adapted to receive the free top end of said abutment. 
     
     
       5. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said projection is vertically adjustably mounted on said vertical bracket. 
     
     
       6. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said motor vehicle has a rear opening and a floor, said abutment extending upwardly from said floor adjacent said rear opening and said shelf being located at the rear end of said cargo floor between said abutment and said rear opening. 
     
     
       7. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertical mast is removably mounted in said base 
     
     
       8. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said mast has a free bottom end and said base is provided with a vertical socket for receiving said bottom end. 
     
     
       9. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the bottom end of said mast is mounted in said vertical socket for rotation about a vertical axis. 
     
     
       10. Transportable X-ray apparatus which is adapted to be transported in a motor vehicle and to be mounted externally on the transport vehicle, said transportable X-ray apparatus comprising: (a) a support assembly which includes a horizontal support base and an elongated vertical mast,   (b) a carriage which is mounted on the mast for sliding vertical movement,   (c) a radiation assembly which includes a collimator and a tube unit assembly which is operatively connected to the collimator,   (d) first mounting means for supporting said radiation assembly on said carriage for vertical movement with the carriage, said first mounting means comprising: (1) a first horizontal spindle which is mounted on said carriage and which is adapted to suport said radiation assembly so that said radiation assembly is removably mounted on said first spindle, and   (2) a second horizontal spindle which is supported on said carriage and which is vertically spaced from said first horizontal spindle, said second horizontal spindle being adapted to support said radiation assembly so that said radiation assembly is removable mounted on said second spindle, and     (e) second mounting means for supporting said support assembly on the transport vehicle so that the transportable X-ray apparatus extends externally of the transport vehicle.   
     
     
       11. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said first mounting means comprises: (a) a horizontal support arm, one end of said support arm being fixed to said carriage and the opposite end of said support arm supporting said first horizontal spindle,   (b) a vertical support arm, one end of said vertical arm being fixed to said horizontal support arm and the opposite end of said vertical support arm supporting said second horizontal spindle.   
     
     
       12. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said radiation assembly comprises: (a) a frame which is adapted for mounting on either of said first and second spindle for rotation about a horizontal axis, and   (b) a horizontal shaft which is supported on said frame, the central longitudinal axis of said shaft extending at a right angle to the central longitudinal axis of said first and second spindles, said collimator and said tube unit being mounted on said shaft for rotation relative to said frame.   
     
     
       13. Transportable X-ray apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said collimator is detachable mounted on said tube unit assembly so that said collimator and said tube unit assembly rotate as a unit about said shaft.